Events

Momo Mania, bringing together momo lovers at the biggest momo party of the year. 10 March, 3 pm onwards
Fun Park, Bhrikuti Mandap

6th International Folk Festival 2012, performances by cultural groups from thirteen countries in Kathamndu, Dang, Pokhara and Butwal. 9 March to 18 March

Charity movie show for animals, watch the highly anticipated Bollywood movie Kahaani for a good cause. 11 March, 4 pm onwards, Kumari Cinema, Kamalpokhari

Placid nuances, 7th solo exhibition of acrylic and water colour paintings by Neera Joshi Pradhan. Till 16 March, Park Gallery, Pulchowk

Music

Metal Suffocation II, bringing together all the metal heads of Kathmandu featuring bands like And we came, Infected, Deadwishes, Shadow in shade and many more.10 March, 1:00 pm onwards, Neon pub, Thamel. Call Suman Shrestha at 9841558087

Live music by SIGN band every week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 7:30 pm onwards, Corner Bar, Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat. Call 4411818

Nepfest III, new bands will battle it out for the coveted title. 10 March, 12 pm onwards, Bhrikuti Mandap

Kutumba Playing for Heritage II, Kutumba will be travelling across Nepal to generate awareness on preservation and protection of local heritage. Till 15 April.

Baja Gaja, playing live every Tuesday 7: 30pm onwards at Mosksh, Pulchowk. Call 5526212

Live music at Jazzabella Café. Every Wednesday and Friday 6pm onwards, Jazzabella café, Jhamsikhel, Patan. Call 2114075

Ides of March, be a part of the epic concert with bands like Antim Grahan, Jindabaad, Severe Dementia and Laakhey performing for a good cause. Nepal Hemophilia Society. 31 March, 1pm to 8pm

Dining

Him Thai Restaurant and Bar, for authentic Thai cuisines in town. Lazimpat, 4418683

Café Du Temple, famous for its delicious food, warm ambience and the beautiful roof top view. Patan Durbar Square, 5527127. Boudha, 2143256

Attic, newly transformed lounge/bar ideal for Friday night drinking before hitting the dance spots. Uttar Dhoka, Lazimpat, 984161476

Vesper Café, has quaint outdoor patio good for leisurely weekend brunch. Serves good salads, and steak-wraps. Jhamsikhel

Milk Coffee and Cocktail Café, coffee house during the day and a cozy lounge serving cocktails at night, try their yarchagumba and molecular cocktails along with the famous Starbucks. Woodland Complex, Durbar Marg

1905 Restaurant, feast on roasted delights within this converted aristocratic residence. Walled ambience and green surroundings make it an oasis within the city, Kantipath, 4215068

Alfresco, for homemade pastas and other lip-smacking delights. Soaltee Crowne Plaza, 4273999

Lazy Gringo, fail-safe Mexican restaurant. The lemonade with refills is what won us over, but the food is mighty fine. Jawalakhel

Comfort Zone, expansive restobar with a decent range of cocktails and barbeque meats. Thamel

Aalishan, serves authentic Indian delicacies. Try the special chicken biryani and chicken reshami kabab. Jawalakhel, 5550039

New Tushita Restaurant, relaxing ambience and good food. Don't miss out on their Penne with creamy bacon and mushroom sauce. Lazimpat, 44432957

The Factory, a trendy restobar for a refreshing stopover in the chaos that is Thamel. Great food and drinks, with zesty music. Mandala Street, Thamel

Cinnamon Grill and Lounge, mouth watering delicacies with live music. Try the grilled tenderloin steak and quiche lorraine with fresh fruit salad. Jhamsikhel, 5521339

Hankook Sarang, from Bibimbab to Samgyeopsal, Hankook offers a wide range of Korean delicacies at affordable prices. Thamel (opposite Road house café)

Yin Yang Restaurant, east meets west as you choose from a variety of Thai and continental dishes. Get a little spice in your life with their pad thai or green curry. If you can't handle the heat, fall into the safety net of their western dishes. Thamel, 10am to 10pm, 4701510

Ghangri Café, a quiet place with comfortable sofas and a lovely courtyard, perfect for those sunny afternoons. Although famous for their open sui mai, they offer a few other great dishes as well. Pulchok

Bhojan Griha, traditional Nepali restaurant that serves great local food with folk music and dance. Dillibajar

Cafe Hessed, for those with a sweet tooth, offers a delicious range of cupcakes and doughnuts. Jhamsikhel

Irish Pub, for the simple reason that the place actually feels like a bar. Don't miss out on their Irish coffee. Lazimpat, Ananda Bhawan, 4416027

Dhaba, for an excellent range of North Indian delicacies, try their unbeatable Kashmiri Gosht. Thapathali

Getaways

Chitwan Safari Tour, enjoy three days of exciting wildlife safari in the Chitwan National Park at Rs 49990. Call Ace travels at 4411830 for more information

Holiday at Grand Norling Hotel, Gokarna. One night and two days at Rs 4500 and two nights and three days at Rs 7000. Call 447948

Fulbari Resort, enjoy the scenic view of Pokhara as you pamper yourself with tennis, golf, drinks and dinners. Rs 6500 per person for 2 nights and 3 days. Call 4461918, 4462248

Football fever

Nepal is hosting the fourth Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup that will take place in Kathmandu from 8 to 19 March. In addition to Nepal, football teams from Turkmenistan, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Democratic People's Republic (DPR) of Korea, India and Tajikistan are participating in the tournament. The winner of this edition will qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup finals in Australia, making this edition of the biannual tournament an important one for all teams. The three previous tournaments were hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka in 2006, 2008 and 2010 respectively. Joseph Sepp Blatter, the president of football's governing body, FIFA, arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday to inaugurate the AFC Challenge Cup.

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